Niklas Luhmann's Modernity: The Paradoxes of Differentiation by William W. Rasch

Description: Niklas Luhmann's Modernity by William W. Rasch An introduction to the nature of modernity as envisioned by Germanys leading social theorist of the late twentieth century. Rasch injects concepts derived from Luhmanns influential systems theory into debates about modernity and postmodernity, constructivist and foundationalist epistemologies and the relationship between politics and ethics. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description This text is an introduction to the nature of modernity as envisioned by Germany s leading social theorist of the late twentieth century, Niklas Luhmann. For Luhmann, modernity is neither an Enlightenment project nor a ludic rejection of that project, but rather the pre-condition of all our deliberations, the structure within which our semantics makes sense, even as we think we celebrate (or mourn) its passing. Rather than viewing modernity as a disease for which we seek a cure, Luhmann poses it as a question to which we continually devise incomplete and partial answers. When we grow impatient with the contingency and indeterminacy that is thus forced upon us and seek solace in community, religion (orthodox or civic), consensus, and a universal vision of the good life, we grow impatient with modernity itself.The book injects concepts derived from Luhmann s influential systems theory (complexity, contingency, and enforced selectivity; system differentiation, self-referential closure, and autopoiesis) into debates about modernity and postmodernity, constructivist and foundationalist epistemologies, the relationship between politics and ethics, and the possibilities of interdisciplinary work that spans the great divide between science and the humanities. Delighting in Luhmann s provocatively cool and dispassionate bursting of cherished balloons, the book stages challenging engagements with such thinkers as J rgen Habermas, Jacques Derrida, Jean-Fran ois Lyotard, Drucilla Cornell, Judith Butler, Michel Serres, N. Katherine Hayles, and such political theorists as Chantal Mouffe and Carl Schmitt. The irrepressibility of paradox emerges as a stubborn feature of all of these confrontations. Flap This book is an introduction to the nature of modernity as envisioned by Germanys leading social theorist of the late twentieth century, Niklas Luhmann. For Luhmann, modernity is neither an Enlightenment project nor a ludic rejection of that project, but rather the pre-condition of all our deliberations, the structure within which our semantics makes sense, even as we think we celebrate (or mourn) its passing. Rather than viewing modernity as a disease for which we seek a cure, Luhmann poses it as a question to which we continually devise incomplete and partial answers. When we grow impatient with the contingency and indeterminacy that is thus forced upon us and seek solace in community, religion (orthodox or civic), consensus, and a universal vision of the good life, we grow impatient with modernity itself. The book injects concepts derived from Luhmanns influential systems theory (complexity, contingency, and enforced selectivity; system differentiation, self-referential closure, and autopoiesis) into debates about modernity and postmodernity, constructivist and foundationalist epistemologies, the relationship between politics and ethics, and the possibilities of interdisciplinary work that spans the great divide between science and the humanities. Delighting in Luhmanns provocatively cool and dispassionate bursting of cherished balloons, the book stages challenging engagements with such thinkers as Jrgen Habermas, Jacques Derrida, Jean-Franois Lyotard, Drucilla Cornell, Judith Butler, Michel Serres, N. Katherine Hayles, and such political theorists as Chantal Mouffe and Carl Schmitt. The irrepressibility of paradox emerges as a stubborn feature of all of these confrontations. The book closes with two interviews: one a discussion with Luhmann and Hayles on epistemology, the other with Luhmann on the functional differentiation of modern society. Author Biography William Rasch is Associate Professor of German Studies at Indiana University. Table of Contents A note on translations; Introduction: paradise lost, modernity regined; 1. Theories of complexity, complexities of theory; 2. Injecting noise into the system; 3. Constructivism as a two-front war; 4. In search of the Lyotard Archipelago; 5. The limit of modernity and the logic of exclusion; 6. Immanent systems, transcendental temptations, and the limits of ethics; 7. Locating the political; Appendix; Notes; Index. Long Description This book is an introduction to the nature of modernity as envisioned by Germanys leading social theorist of the late twentieth century, Niklas Luhmann. For Luhmann, modernity is neither an Enlightenment project nor a ludic rejection of that project, but rather the pre-condition of all our deliberations, the structure within which our semantics makes sense, even as we think we celebrate (or mourn) its passing. Rather than viewing modernity as a disease for which we seek a cure, Luhmann poses it as a question to which we continually devise incomplete and partial answers. When we grow impatient with the contingency and indeterminacy that is thus forced upon us and seek solace in community, religion (orthodox or civic), consensus, and a universal vision of the good life, we grow impatient with modernity itself. The book injects concepts derived from Luhmanns influential systems theory (complexity, contingency, and enforced selectivity; system differentiation, self-referential closure, and autopoiesis) into debates about modernity and postmodernity, constructivist and foundationalist epistemologies, the relationship between politics and ethics, and the possibilities of interdisciplinary work that spans the great divide between science and the humanities. Delighting in Luhmanns provocatively cool and dispassionate bursting of cherished balloons, the book stages challenging engagements with such thinkers as Jrgen Habermas, Jacques Derrida, Jean-Franois Lyotard, Drucilla Cornell, Judith Butler, Michel Serres, N. Katherine Hayles, and such political theorists as Chantal Mouffe and Carl Schmitt. The irrepressibility of paradox emerges as a stubborn feature of all of these confrontations. The book closes with two interviews: one a discussion with Luhmann and Hayles on epistemology, the other with Luhmann on the functional differentiation of modern society. Details ISBN0804739919 Pages 264 Publisher Stanford University Press ISBN-10 0804739919 ISBN-13 9780804739917 Format Hardcover Imprint Stanford University Press Subtitle The Paradoxes of Differentiation Place of Publication Palo Alto Country of Publication United States DEWEY 306 Year 2000 Publication Date 2000-12-01 Author William W. Rasch Series Cultural Memory in the Present Short Title Niklas Luhmanns Modernity Language English DOI 10.1604/9780804739917 UK Release Date 2000-12-01 AU Release Date 2000-12-01 NZ Release Date 2000-12-01 US Release Date 2000-12-01 Alternative 9780804739924 Audience Undergraduate We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:159800473;

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